Development of a fiber optic oxygen and glucose sensor

Abstract

Fiber optic sensors for oxygen and glucose based on fluorescence quenching were designed and fabricated. The prototype oxygen sensor was fabricated by coaxially grafting a hydrogel, poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (PHEMA), containing a fluorescent dye, 9,10-diphenylanthracene (9,10-D), to fused silica optical fibers. Grafting was done through silane coupling agents, yielding a graft which was resistant to hydrolytic attack. The sensor was sensitive to dissolved oxygen concentrations, due to oxygen quenching of 9,10-D fluorescence. A glucose sensor was developed by incorporating glucose oxidase, which catalyzes the oxidation of glucose, into the PHEMA/9,10-D matrix. In the presence of glucose, the matrix oxygen concentration is lowered, resulting in an increased fluorescent signal.< >